CEDEAO – MinBane

Niger: Macron and France is “softly” moving away…

“There is no more Françafrique. When there are coups d’état, we do not interfere in the political life of countries. (In Niger) Basically, there is largely ethnic settling of scores and a lot of political cowardice the putschists are the friends of disorder” (…)”We are ending our military cooperation with Niger” – President Emmanuel Macron (24.09.2023).

Today on the 24^th September 2023, President Emmanuel Macron announced in a TV Interview that France is stopping their military cooperation with Niger. They are also recalling their ambassador from Niamey, Niger. This is all about time and Macron has waited as long as he could to do this. However, the nail isn’t in the coffin just yet.

Even as people cheers as the announcement of leaving is there. The French has certainly a plan and possibly a “Plan B” if things was to change in Niamey. Just as swiftly as the Coup d’etat happened between 26^th July to 28^th July 2023. The French could find ways to end this junta and find another puppet in his stead. The French military is still stationed in the Republic and we never know when they could get orders to topple or change head of state. We have seen this before and shouldn’t be surprised if Paris would pull it off again.

Macron is acting defeated and humiliated by this. The junta of Niamey have put up a hard front. They have gotten allies in the region. So, the Niamey isn’t alone and has allies in Mali and Burkina Faso. Also the junta of Guinea is by their side. This sort of affair and diplomatic pressure isn’t what Paris is used too. They are able to sway opinion and find the “right dude” to become “the leader”. Now that has failed and it’s someone they don’t want there.

President Macron is a man who is losing influence in West Africa and the Sahel region. The interests of France is dwindling and the “reasons” to be there is lessening. They might say they are there for the “common good” but we know they are there for profits and for French business. That’s all it is and Paris doesn’t care much for Niger, except for the resources and the strategical place in the region. Therefore, Macron cannot short-sell this one.

When the French leaves. The allies of Niger needs to step up and take the mantle. There will be need for cohesion between the junta governments. As they are now taking over from where the French left off. Someone has to fill the temporary void and ensure stability. The Neo-Colonial forces are then out of the Republic, but there need to be response and an action to safeguard the territories still. Because, the insurgencies doesn’t go away.

Alas, maybe Niamey knows this already and have something up its sleeve. We don’t know, but we do know that this will cause celebration and be seen as a victory. The colonial overlord is finally leaving and history has been made. Paris has finally been conquered and now they can shield for themselves. That must feel liberating. A second liberation for Niger.

We know this saga isn’t over. That isn’t over until the military cooperation agreements are revoked or ceasing to be operative. The same about the bases and troops stationed in Niger. These all have to leave together with the ambassador. When that has happen. Then it is official and an historical event. This would be an end of story that begun with the expansion of the French Empire back in 1890s. That’s how long the French has been in the region and held people under its rule. It isn’t like the French came over night and plans to leave in a hot minute. No, the French are hoping this leadership will not last and the next will be more friendly. There is too much at stake for Paris to loose this one.

We all can see it. The French been there for so long and they will not accept the loss that easily. Peace.

Opinion: Macron won’t release his “Françafrique” just yet…

“The problem of Nigeriens today is putschists who are putting them in danger, because they are abandoning the fight against terrorism, because they are abandoning a policy which was economically good for them, and because they are losing all the international funding that was enabling them to get out of poverty” – President Emmanuel Macron (LSI Africa, 28.08.2023).

We are seeing the desperation from Paris. Paris is losing their vassal states and the ones who has been under wings under “independence”. These nations are now addressing Paris in a manner, which it haven’t been before. While the “French Interests” has come before the National Interests of these “independent” states themselves. In this regard, Niger.

Niger has treated unfairly and unkindly. It has been a place of looting and control from Paris. They have found “mechanisms” and means to an end. That has been done through military assistance or other means. Just to be the “white saviour” who happens to take home the valuable assets from where-ever they where stationed for hot minute. That’s what Paris has done and they thought they could continue this practice for forever.

They thought they could loot, steal and have a say in national affairs all over Sahel region. The French thought they could use power and influence to get “interests” which benefits Paris. That to still be seen as an empire and be a big deal. The French has been proud of this method. The way it keeps of colonial practices and “liberation” agreements, which binds the nations with the French. It isn’t for fun or games, but for profit and gold. The French wants to extract and get as much resources as possible for cheap. That’s why they finessed the “liberators” who signed off on horrific agreements, but they did so in the best possible manner. Since then they have been guaranteed pressure and potential setbacks from Paris.

That’s why the junta government in Niamey was the final straw for Macron and the elites of Paris. They have already tasted the bitter fruits in Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea. Now Niger is following suit. Being a block of nations of former French colonies who strikes back. The Empire wants to strike back this time. They want their puppet and friend regime in office. Not people who see who the French really are. No, they want to the ones who are willing to budge and be a token soldier for France. That’s all it is and the resigned President in Niger is one of them.

The French doesn’t care about democracy or democratic values in “Francafrique”. This is the same people who are happy with the family dynasties of Togo, Tchad and Gabon. The nation who are backing Biya in Cameroon and so fourth. There so many questionable leaders that the French are supporting in Africa and they still wants to be the voices of reason. When we see what sort of men they shaking hands with and giving favourable treatment. Seriously, the junta of Niamey is the least problem the French has on its hands.

We have seen Macron been disrespectful to Algeria and elsewhere during his tenure in office. Yet again, he shows the French arrogance and belief that they “own” and has a “unique” right to be there. If they are there now and has a mandate. That should be decided by Niamey and not by Paris. Just like Niamey shouldn’t decide what is happening in Paris. That is sovereignty and Paris should respect that. However, neocolonialism and French arrogance stands in the way of that.

A man of Macron stature should understand this, but his jaded with power. That’s why he behaves like this and even uses the “war on terror” as an excuse to overstay in Niger. This is all up to the Head of State of Niger and his fellow dignitaries in office. They are the ones deciding this on behalf of Niger. It isn’t up to Macron to decide that.

Macron isn’t a white saviour and the French state haven’t saved their former colonies. Instead it has kept them in chains and shackles. Under a bureaucratic mess and vast amount of agreements, which has haunted them since “independence”. So, he should be more careful and be grateful that it lasted this long. Peace.